Hail Donna Brazile
by Vincent Fiore

A friend of mine is forever reminding me to give credit where credit is due. Specifically, he is referring to the infrequent impulses among those that populate the left side of the political spectrum.

Well, hail and credit certainly should go to Donna Brazile, Democratic political consultant and Al Gore's 2000 presidential campaign manager. Donna Brazile is also skilled, it seems, in the application of common sense and of the values that make America great--values that so many of her cohorts on the left too often discount, if not forget completely.

Brazile wrote a compact yet passionate essay for the Washington Post recently that spoke to the highest virtues of humanity, and eschewed the partisan politics the beltway all to often exhibits even in the face of national disaster. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/16/AR2005091602167_pf.html)

Brazile, who claims New Orleans as her hometown, said this regarding President George Bush’s speech: “On Thursday night, after watching him [Bush] speak from the heart, I could not have been prouder of the president and the plan he outlined to empower those who lost everything and to rebuild the Gulf Coast.”

These words written by Brazile are stunning, when you stop and think about just how much has been said about Bush these past five years, and by whom. A cottage industry of sorts, hating Bush has become an institution unto itself.

And it is no secret that among this president’s detractors, this same Donna Brazile was one of them--early and often. Even Republicans in general were none-too-high on Brazile’s list, as evidenced by her infamous quote about not letting the “white boys win” the presidency in 2000.

To be fair though, Brazile has at times been a welcoming light of civility in an otherwise dreary and intellectually light-less Democratic Party.

In 2000, almost immediately after 36 days of an election tug-of-war that had Bush finally becoming the president-elect, Brazile stepped up in the interest of unity, stating that Bush made a “good start” by appointing Colin Powell and Condolezza Rice to top posts.

She did tell Bush that he “can't stop there,” and “we will be looking at the diversity of future Bush appointments and whether the president-elect keeps reaching out to blacks.” But she added, “I think he will.” (http://www.usatoday.com/news/vote2000/bush59.htm)

As recently as December 2004, most Democratic Party leaders considered Bush as engaging in mere window-dressing. But Brazile thought otherwise, saying: “The president has done more than diversify his Cabinet…President Bush has opened new doors for minorities and women to consider the benefits of joining the ranks of the Republican Party.” http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-12-09-diverse-usat_x.htm

These kinds of words are welcomed not only by the president and the members of his party, but by all Americans. Most are weary of being buffeted by the racial overtones and generalized Black v. White adversity that is ceaselessly propagated and peddled by an old media looking to make news.

So when I hear someone who has been as politically passionate against the GOP as Donna Brazile has been over the years now saying: “The president has set a national goal and defined a national purpose. This is something I believe with all my heart… Mr. President, I am ready for duty. I am ready to stir those old pots again. Let's roll up our sleeves and get to work,” one must applaud those words, and the woman who said them.

As a conservative, I stand with Democrat Donna Brazile as she stands beside Republican President George W. Bush. As an American first and forever, I stand with anyone who can say such things as, “We are one nation. We are a family. And this is what we do.” Indeed, it is the greatness of this civic task set before us that is offset by the greater effort of “We the People” as a whole, that defines America.

I think all America should applaud the words of Donna Brazile, and echo them. There is nothing better about the American people than the rolling “up our sleeves” that Donna Brazile epitomized by her generous offer of support. I will be honored to rebuild with you, Ms. Brazile and bravo for your words.

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